Seducing the Runaway Bride (The Wrights Book 1)

by McKenna Rogue

  “I’ll see what I can do.” I said goodbye once more and headed down the hall to the bank of elevators, hoping the front desk could call me a cab. Otherwise, I was going to need to spend the night in a room here at the hotel.

  Luckily, there was a cab dropping off a patron right as I got to the lobby, and I ran out to grab it. “Hey, do you already have another pick-up? Or can you take me?”

  “Sure. Get in. Where to?”

  I gave him Rick’s address, then I settled back into the seat and let my eyes drift close for a second. The problem was, I knew exactly what could bring that happiness back, what could make me as happy as I was in Glenwood. But she was gone.

  “Here we are, sir.”

  I glanced at the meter and pulled cash out of my wallet. “Thanks for the ride.”

  He nodded at me and took the offered payment and tip, before driving off into the night again.

  Walking up the steps to Rick’s place, I wondered idly if I could be happy in a city like Denver, or New York. After the bustle of Los Angeles when I was a kid, all I’d really experienced was Aspen. But Denver certainly had its perks. And maybe a fresh start somewhere new would help.

  I unlocked Rick’s door and was surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen table, papers spread out in front of him. “Hey. What are you doing home?”

  “I live here. Or did you forget which sibling you were crashing with?” He pushed back from the table and went to the fridge to grab a couple beers. “How was the party?”

  “Fine. I danced, I drank, I hung out with Liling and a bunch of hot models. It was exactly what I expected.”

  “Which is why you’re back here with me instead of in some hot model’s bed, right?” He popped the top on one of the bottles and held it out.

  I took it without thinking and downed half of it in one swig. “Pretty much. Don’t you ever get tired of one-night stands? Or these little relationships that hardly last long enough to learn the girl’s last name before you’re on to someone new?”

  He opened his bottle and sat down on the couch. “What’s her name?”

  “What?” I frowned at him. “Whose name?”

  “The woman you’re hung up on. Come on, Chuck, we always knew you’d settle down one day. You’re too in love with the idea of having a family of your own.”

  I sighed and flopped down on the couch next to him. “Aubrey. And I’m not settling down with her. She’s gone, man.”

  “Gone? Like, she died?” He raised an eyebrow, and I knew he was joking, but still, I rose to the bait.

  “Like, got on a plane and went home. It’s been weeks, and I figured I’d just find someone else, someone new to entertain me for a few days, a good rebound fuck, but I don’t know, man. All these women coming through Aspen are all so fucking stuck-up. They’re all so concerned about the labels on their clothes and wearing shoes that should cause way more broken ankles than even the skiing does.”

  “And Aubrey’s different?”

  I polished off my beer and set the empty on the coffee table. Still leaning forward on my knees, I nodded slowly. “She’s incredible, Rick. Better than I deserve, that’s for damn sure. And her fucking ex-fiancé is getting married, and all I wanted to do all day was call her, to find out how she’s holding up, how she’s reacting to the news, but I can’t, because I haven’t talked to her in weeks. Not since she got on the fucking plane.”

  “Take a breath, man. One thought at a time. Slow down, tell me about her. Tell me what makes her special.”

  Taking a deep breath, I started at the beginning. Her terrible skiing, not because she was really bad, but because her instructor had let her down not talking to her about the differently coded slopes. And then I told him about her adorable flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers. How easy it was to get a rise out of her. How easy it was to talk to her, to share my life with her, to learn all about hers.

  “It sounds like maybe you were in love, Chuck.”

  “There’s no were about it, Rick. I am.” I sighed. “And like the asshole I am, I didn’t tell her.”

  Rick took a long, slow pull from his beer, and then with a smirk that could practically be trademarked for how consistent it is amongst all us Wright men, he said, “So what are you going to do about it?”

  I swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

  “Chuck.”

  I sighed and got up to grab another beer. “I guess I’m going to make a trip to New York.”

  Rick grinned. “Good. Make arrangements tomorrow morning.”

  I laughed and pulled out my phone. “Dude, there’s this thing called the internet. I can book a flight right now.”

  Rick rolled his eyes and got up. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Don’t stay up too late. You know us Wright men rely completely on our good looks.”

  I shook my head and flicked my bottle cap at him. “Maybe you do. I rely on my charm.”

  He laughed and threw it back at me. “The charm that caused her to think you were hired help?”

  I grinned. “Damn straight.”

  Rick headed to the bedroom, and I spent the next hour deleting Vanessa’s trashy photos and booking a flight and hotel. I still had no plan for how I was going to win her back, but I’d figure that out once I made it to New York.

  29

  Chuck

  I hated that I couldn’t just leave Rick’s and get on a plane, but there were too many variables to run off. The chalet was still a mess, I had next to no clothing or supplies with me, and my mother would’ve wrung my neck if I got on a plane without so much as a call.

  So, I gave myself two days to get my stuff in order before my flight, and headed home.

  “Chuck, I gotta say, it’s been really refreshing seeing you working so hard.”

  “Yeah, yeah, Luke, very funny. You said the chalet had to be ready to rent, I’m getting it ready to rent.” I tightened a bolt on the new kitchen faucet. “Or did you change your mind?”

  “No, please, keep working.” He smirked. “Are you also going to clean up the broken bottle in the corner over there?”

  “It’s on my list.” I pointed at the piece of paper on the fridge. “Talking shit with Luke, however, is not.”

  He laughed. “Whatever’s gotten into you, I like it. Can you keep it up for a while?”

  “Actually, I’m doing this so I can get on a plane in two days. So, you’re going to be running things alone for a few days.”

  Luke rolled his eyes. “What else is new? You haven’t hardly been here since Aubrey checked out of this place.”

  I smiled softly and put my tools away. “Well, when I come back from my trip, I promise, one way or another, I’ll be all-in again.”

  Luke sighed. “I’m not worried about the business, Chuck. Even with the chalet out of commission most of the season, and the hot tub expense, we’re blowing our projections out of the water. And we’ve got reservations piling up for the summer already.” He leaned forward onto his knees and locked eyes with me. “I was worried about you.”

  “Luke, you’re a very attractive man, but I just don’t swing that way. We’re business partners, that’s it.” I grinned and chucked my greasy towel at him. “I always knew the business was safe in your hands. You think I’d be stupid enough to get into bed with someone who couldn’t handle it?”

  Luke pursed his lips. “You’re throwing a lot of mixed signals here.” He laughed. “Seriously though, I’m glad you’re smiling again.”

  I couldn’t help but wonder if my smile would fade again after New York, but for now, I had hope. And I planned on clinging to it. I had to believe there was at least a small chance Aubrey would want to see me.

  “So, what’s your plan?”

  I shrugged. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re going after Aubrey, right?” At my look, he rolled his eyes. “Dude, come on. I’ve known you for years. You think I don’t know when you’re hung up on a woman? Or that you fucked her six ways from Sunday right here in this very chalet, even
though I expressly told you not to have sex with the guests?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek. “She’s the only one, I swear.”

  “I don’t care, Chuck. I want to know your plan.”

  “I’m getting on a plane. I know Aubrey works for an architecture firm and designs custom houses for wealthy clients. Beyond that, I don’t really know.”

  Luke shook his head. “Good thing I called in the big guns.”

  “Tell me you didn’t involve one of my sisters in this. I don’t want them knowing, if it goes badly. For most of them, I’m their big brother.”

  He laughed. “Do you think I’m stupid? No, I called your mom. How many romantic comedies did she star in, between her time with that stupid has-been, Brett, and your dad? If anyone’s going to help you figure out the best way to profess your love, I can’t think of a better expert.” He got up and grabbed a couple more beers from the six-pack on the counter. “She’ll be here in ten.”

  “Luke! You better be fucking with me.” Even as I said it, I grabbed the broom and the mop from the utility closet we used for janitorial supplies, and quickly started the mop bucket filling while I swept up the broken glass that had laid there for over a day. “God, I don’t want my mother seeing me like this. Or this place like this.”

  “Chuck, you hardly ever let your mom in. She cares about you a hell of a lot more than any other mother I’ve ever known, and that includes my own. She’s not going to judge the chalet. She’s not going to judge you. And I really do think she can help.”

  I hurriedly mopped the corner of the living room where the remnants of beer from the bottle had turned to sticky goo, and then shoved everything back into the closet just in time to hear a sharp rap on the door.

  “She’s here…” Luke said in an ominous, horror movie-style voice, and then he broke out into a wide grin.

  I opened the door and ran my hand through my hair that had gotten just a little shaggy in the last few weeks. “Mom, hi.”

  “Luke didn’t tell you I was coming.” Her smile faltered slightly, and she gripped her purse strap a little tighter.

  “He did, just not in very much time. Come in. You want a beer? I’ve got some of Zane’s latest microbrew.”

  She shook her head and surveyed the chalet as she shrugged out of her coat in a graceful motion that both spoke of quiet power and gentility. “I haven’t seen one of your rentals before. It’s beautiful, Chuck.”

  I smiled softly and gestured to the couch. “It’s my passion.”

  “So it would seem. These rentals, and Luke tells me, a woman?”

  I swallowed hard as she sat on the couch and I took the chair. “Yeah. I’m going to New York in a couple days to find her. To tell her how I feel, everything I should’ve told her when she was here in Aspen.”

  “And how are you going to find her? New York City’s not exactly small-town Ohio. It’s not like you can get out of a taxi on any street corner and find someone who knows her.”

  “I know she works as an architect. I was going to do some research, show up at her firm.”

  Mom pursed her lips and nodded. “You should make an appointment. That way, you know she’ll be there, and have time set aside to talk with you.”

  I leaned forward and hugged her close. “You know, if things go right, you might just have another daughter in the family.”

  “I’m counting on it. You Wright boys, just like your father, figure out what you want, and go after it with such unfaltering persistence. I have no doubt that if she’s as special as I suspect she’d have to be, you won’t give up until you’ve made her your own.”

  I looked around the chalet, at my best friend, and then at my mother. “I don’t know if she’d want to come live here. She’s got her whole life.”

  “And we have these things called airplanes. They’re very new, you might not have heard about them. But they can actually transport you across great distances in shorter amounts of time.” Mom winked at me and stood. “It sounds like you didn’t really need my help after all.”

  “Maybe not, but it’s good to know I have your blessing. And that you don’t think I’m crazy for doing this.”

  “You might be. But all of us Wrights have a little bit of crazy in us. Look at me. I went from a small-town girl from Ohio to a movie star with thirteen kids I completely adore.”

  I laughed and got up to hug her again. “You’ve always been crazier than most, Mom. But that’s why we love you.”

  She enveloped me in her arms and rubbed my back. “Chuck, I’m so proud of you for going after what you want. If you need any help finalizing your plans, just give me a call.”

  “I think I know what I’ve got to do, but hopefully soon, I’ll be bringing home a woman to meet you.”

  She grinned. “Maybe for Jonah’s birthday?”

  “We’ll see. You know how we can get when we all get together.” I couldn’t help but wonder how Aubrey would get along with all my siblings. I already knew she got along with Liling, but all of the Wright kids in one room was a whole different world.

  “Well, if she’s going to become the future Mrs. Wright, you’re going to have to introduce her to all of us eventually.”

  “I’m aware of that, Mom. And I will. Just… when the time is right.” I bit off the urge to add, “If she even wants to be my Mrs. Wright.”

  Mom grabbed her things and smiled. “I won’t keep you any longer, then. Call me when you’re back in town, and we’ll have lunch. I want to hear all about how you met this woman, how you fell in love.”

  “You got it, Mom.”

  As soon as she was outside again, I turned on Luke. “I still can’t believe you called my mother! Did you seriously think I couldn’t make this happen on my own?”

  “Chuck, you’ve been distant. From me, from your family, from the business. You wouldn’t talk to me, or Liling, or Zane. So, I called in the big guns. And you can be pissed if you want, or hit me, or whatever, but I need my best friend back. My business partner.”

  “I’m back, Luke. I’m here. The chalet’s fixed, ready for rental, and when I’m back from New York, I’ve got my eye on a property on Roaring Fork Road. It’s a duplex, so it’s double the rent, but it’d be better as a summer rental than ski season.”

  “We’ll look at it as soon as you get back. I’d also like to take a look at a few places in neighboring towns, see if we can’t expand our operation.”

  “I can see it now: ‘CWLB Luxury Rentals take over all the Rocky Mountains.”’ I grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “Maybe we can even look at some places in upstate New York.”

  Luke shook his head as his smile grew. “You’ve got it bad, Chuck Wright. Go finish your to-do list, and then get your woman.”

  “Hey, is there somewhere that sells flowers around here?” I walked up to the hotel desk and looked around. New York was so much bigger than Aspen, and people were constantly buzzing, but it didn’t matter. In two hours, I had an appointment with Jones, Mitchem, and Schmitt, presumably to discuss a vacation home in upstate New York with their lead architect, Aubrey Jones.

  “Of course, sir. There’s a wonderful little shop down the block. Are you looking for something special?” The receptionist smiled widely at me.

  I chewed the inside of my lip and frowned. Aubrey and I had never talked about what sort of flowers she liked, or if she even liked the surprise of flowers. “I don’t know. If you were about to get proposed to, what sort of flowers would you want the man to bring?”

  Her face lit up. “Oh, you’re going to propose?” She grinned. “Well, roses are classic, especially red ones. Although, her favorites would be so romantic.”

  I nodded along, even though I had no intention of getting her red roses, and if I did manage to get her favorites, it would be by sheer accident. “Thank you. If you could just get me the address.”

  She printed something out from her computer and handed it to me, and I headed out onto the New York City streets.

  The
florist’s shop was filled with blossoms of all sizes and colors, a veritable explosion of floral. I wandered the aisles, trying to find something that would encompass everything I wanted to say, everything I felt. At long last, I settled on gardenias, since they were my mother’s favorites.

  In the cab on the way to my appointment, I played out the possible outcomes in my head over and over. After weeks apart, I really had no reason to believe she would be there for me, that she would look at me as anything more than a former lover. But with flowers clutched in hand, and a ring feeling heavier and heavier by the moment in my pocket, I had to hope she would at least open the door to me.

  The office building where Jones, Mitchem, and Schmitt sat was a tall skyscraper, and it took me a moment in the lobby to figure out which floor I needed. But once in the elevator, my stomach dropped with each passing floor, until I was certain there was no chance Aubrey would even meet with me.

  The ominous ding and the elevator doors sliding open forced people to shift around to let me out, their expressions split between distain at the inconvenience of having to move to not crush my flowers, and wistful looks of awe, as if they knew exactly what I was about to do.

  The glass doors in front of the architecture firm’s suite had their names etched on them, as well as the phone number to call for appointments. I took a deep breath and pulled one open, taking in the carefully chosen décor and furniture. The whole space felt like a nod to the sort of work done by the firm: subtle opulence coupled with modern statements and classic beauty.

  I walked up to a woman seated at a half-moon shaped desk. She, like the space, looked purposefully chosen and well put together in a dark purple business suit with a lilac blouse. Her hair, nails, and makeup looked like they could’ve been done for a magazine photo shoot, rather than for a typical workday.

  “Can I help you?” She looked me up and down over the tip of her nose, as if she was assessing whether I was worth the firm’s time. She lingered with a slight sneer at the flowers in my hand. Maybe gardenias had been the wrong choice.